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Any ideas as to what this is for?

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Lu-Max

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I bought a house recently from the original owner's offspring, it was built back in 1952. I'm going through the process of renovating it and I came across this in the "office" cabinet.
This is on the upper cabinet surface and I have no idea what it's purpose could have been??? It looks like a mouse trap with just a single rod instead of a U-shaped one. When I pull it down and release it it makes a very loud "pop", aside from that I have absolutely no idea what purpose it could serve and the folks I bought the house from did not answer my email inquiries.
Any ideas? Thanks.

cabinet-thing03.jpg


cabinet-thing02.jpg


cabinet-thing01.jpg
 
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p_mori7

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Looks like a simple DIY doodad to keep something upright within the cabinet...probably something related to a hobby or job of one of the previous occupants.
 
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larry_g

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A devise to trip when something was removed from the cabinet? Are there electrical wires above to signal the alarm? Is it triggering something in the upper cabinet?

lg
no neat sig line
 
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zachzach

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larry_g said:
A devise to trip when something was removed from the cabinet? Are there electrical wires above to signal the alarm? Is it triggering something in the upper cabinet?

lg
no neat sig line
Click to expand...



Probably dads liquor cabinet haha


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Lu-Max

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larry_g said:
A devise to trip when something was removed from the cabinet? Are there electrical wires above to signal the alarm? Is it triggering something in the upper cabinet?
Click to expand...

Nope, it isn't connected to anything, and there is now way to "****" it. The spring is mild strength, probably couldn't hold much weight, but it just swings down and snaps back up when released. No clue.
 
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Jimi

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It looks like it's supposed to hold legal documents. But I see you're in CA.
 
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ddawg16

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A classic practical joker

He installed that with no purpose knowing the next buyer would post it on the internet searching for what it is.

He is sitting back having the laugh of his life.
 
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Stuart in MN

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A place to hold bills or other papers, where they're out of the way but still easily accessed. It looks like the sort of handy tip you would see in Popular Mechanics magazine back in those days. ;)
 
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Lu-Max

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If he knew that the internet was going to be invented way back then they should have been living in a much nicer house than this one.
 
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Lu-Max

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Stuart in MN said:
A place to hold bills or other papers, where they're out of the way but still easily accessed. It looks like the sort of handy tip you would see in Popular Mechanics magazine back in those days. ;)
Click to expand...

You're probably right, but the little green knob is attached to the cabinet and not the arm, so I'm not sure how well it would hold papers. Maybe a few small receipts?
 
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cgrutt

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Have no idea but could it be a release of some sort to hidden compartment within the cabinet? May be some hidden treasure within that cabinet LOL...
 
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Lu-Max

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No hidden treasure, there is a floor safe but they emptied it before I bought the house.
 
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Musicinabottle

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Looks like something was attached just ahead of the spring. I'm referring to the holes that looks like screws were removed.
 
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Musicinabottle

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When we do finally find out, we're all going to smack our foreheads and go "Oh, I didn't even think about that" and feel really stupid!
 
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Shootinok

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Swear I’ve seen something like it but can’t put my finger on it.

My first thought was some kind of hat holder, but that little “bumper” has me baffled.
How strong is the spring tension ?


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EOC_Jason

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My guess is to hang something on, the weight would pull the arm down and you have a hook for like a hat or something. Remove item and the hook springs up out of the way...
 
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Lu-Max

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I finally heard back from the son of the previous owner! I asked him what it was and how it was used:

"Hi. Oh that’s a good one. You’re talking about the cabinet in the office off the living room, yes? I couldn’t remember at first but that was my dads little invention to hold up the dust cover on the turn table. The cover was hinged but wouldn’t stay up by itself while you were putting on a record! Hope you’re doing well. "

Whew! One less thing rattling around in my head confusing me.

The cabinet next to it has an outlet, antenna wire, and speaker wires, so it makes sense.

cabinet-3a.jpg
 
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iajonesy

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That's just what I was going to guess, really, I was, I'm not fibben, you got to believe me.

Mike
 
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bad_idea

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Love them old timers. The interesting, simple solutions to problems around the house. None of them cost a fortune either.
 
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